M457 Project (Mk III & IV) (Update Jan 2022)

[Mike in Reedley]

Looks great. How much weight did you end up removing? When the 4516 first came out, I understand there were reliably issues. Smith increased the weight of the slide to improve reliability. Afterwards it seemed like the 4516-1 weighed as much as a 4506.

 

[guzzitaco]

Looks great. How much weight did you end up removing? When the 4516 first came out, I understand there were reliably issues. Smith increased the weight of the slide to improve reliability. Afterwards it seemed like the 4516-1 weighed as much as a 4506.

Hi Mike,
Weight of the stripped slide before was 12.2 Oz, after the cuts it is 11.6 Oz.
So, total weight reduction after cuts and serrations was 0.6 Oz.

However, I added a rear steel sight that weights 0.4 Oz more than the plastic sight. So, in this case the total wight reduction is only 0.2Oz, which is only 1.6%. (of the stripped slide).


Hope this helps,
Guzzi

 

[guzzitaco]

Before shipping it out, I took some pics of the complete gun...















compared to my "untouched" M457 EDC











More to come
(still have one M457 slide to finish, remember they were two)

 

[18DAI]

OUTSTANDING! Be in touch with you shortly! Regards 18DAI

 

[Mike in Reedley]

Hi Mike,
Weight of the stripped slide before was 12.2 Oz, after the cuts it is 11.6 Oz.
So, total weight reduction after cuts and serrations was 0.6 Oz.

However, I added a rear steel sight that weights 0.4 Oz more than the plastic sight. So, in this case the total wight reduction is only 0.2Oz, which is only 1.6%. (of the stripped slide).


Hope this helps,
Guzzi

Looks like you thought this through very well, good job.

 

[4T5GUY]

Looks like you thought this through very well, good job.

Yes, he has thought about everything. Several times over to get it all perfectly exact. Not only does he have many hours involved with the actual procedures he has even more time in the research. He is always learning, asking us about measurements, depths, weights and angles.

I had to post these two pictures and NOT just to show my 45 Recon with the "for marketing/sales/novelty extended barrel."

I tried to get the perspective and angle close, but regardless anyone can see the level of skill he has achieved.

Jim

 

[veeklog1]

After all the machining was done, I decided to spend sometime "erasing" some of the machining marks that came from the factory...especially those on the top of the slide...




To do this I used a marble block and some wet sandpaper...and a lot of elbow grease...




also, polished the barrel bushing...


fitted steel rear sights...


opened a U notch on the rear sight, to .140, for faster sight acquisition...BMCM's idea...


did some beveling on the front, to remove the sharp edges left after the scallop cut...








I decided to do some rear serrations in one of the slides...


still, using hand files...

At this point, we were ready for some hot bluing...


I have a very basic setup, but it is very practical to do small frames, slides and small parts (triggers and hammers)


things were looking good...


after the bluing bath, submerged in a boiling water bath to eliminate all traces of the bluing solution...


let it sleep overnight, submerged in Mobil 1...


In the meantime, focused on retouching the safety and the extractor...


done...

After around 6 hours of wait, I couldn't resist the temptation and took the slide out of the old to check it out...









things were looking good...

More to come...

Wow that is beautiful

 

[guzzitaco]

Mk IV is ready !!!

Hi guys,

finally had the time to finish the other M457 slide. Here are some pics...





















pics of the final pistol coming soon !!!

hope you guys like it...

Guzzi

 

[Green Frog]

Wow, just wow! Give you the right tools and you make art. Give me the same tools and I would probably make scrap! Each one of your projects gets better and more attractive, and I don't say that just because you used a green front sight on this one! I can't wait for your next reveal.

the Green Frog

 

[squidsix]

Looking truly great, as always.

 

[guzzitaco]

Thank you guys for the nice comments...

Some pics of the completed pistol...


















comparing the before and after (natural light)







Hope you guys like it...
My "new" EDC

Guzzi

 

[kobsw]

Thank you guys for the nice comments...

Some pics of the completed pistol...


















comparing the before and after (natural light)







Hope you guys like it...
My "new" EDC

Guzzi

Don't really like it...... I love it!!!

Nice work as usual and great thread to boot.

Best regards,

Kobsw

 

[Ben-Kenobi]

Don't really like it...... I love it!!!

Nice work as usual and great thread to boot.

Best regards,

Kobsw

My sentiments exactly. Is it wrong that I think you've improved the original design? It's like you've made a 2022 version of a 3rd generation pistol. Loving your work and your Instagram account by the way.

 

[guzzitaco]

Thank you guys for your kind comments...

My sentiments exactly. Is it wrong that I think you've improved the original design? It's like you've made a 2022 version of a 2nd generation pistol. Loving your work and your Instagram account by the way.

Thanks a lot Master Kenobi...

Same design...maybe some improvement in the beveling...but overall same design...

I decided to use a Novak sight, instead of a 1911 style sight. Easier and I believe it is a better sight after the "U" notch.

Didn't do top serrations, since I didn't remove the rear "bump" behind the sight (there is no way to use the file without removing the bump).

I changed the mag catch and nut from a plastic one to a steel one...using the same tornado spring and a drop of loctite on the thread (been using this setup in my CS9 for over 2 years now and works fine).

I added a small piece of skate tape to the frame...I painted it with alumahyde to eliminate the "shinny" bit on it and the have a uniform look.

Optic fiber sight I found online some years ago...just testing it...

Just a few small changes...

 

[18DAI]

Magnificent! Did you recrown the barrel? That crown looks way better than the factory examples I have come across.

Looking forward to your range report on your custom 457 carry gun. Regards 18DAI

 

[guzzitaco]

Magnificent! Did you recrown the barrel? That crown looks way better than the factory examples I have come across.

Looking forward to your range report on your custom 457 carry gun. Regards 18DAI

Hi DAI,
nope I didn't retouch the crown...it was like that from factory...

lucky me I guess

 

[USMC586]

Outstanding work on a very underrated firearm. Mine has never failed to fire and is a hidden 3rd gen Gem. You have made a great plain jane budget minded piece look like it should have from the factory. Truly looks like it was made that way.

Well done

 

[galilman121]

The craftsmanship you have shown in taking a basic bland 457 is just stunning. It make me want to set aside money for you so I can beg to have my flat as a board "ban era" clunky S&W 410 made over.

 

[guzzitaco]

Outstanding work on a very underrated firearm. Mine has never failed to fire and is a hidden 3rd gen Gem. You have made a great plain jane budget minded piece look like it should have from the factory. Truly looks like it was made that way.

Well done

Thank you USMC586...the M457 is one of my favorite EDCs...

The craftsmanship you have shown in taking a basic bland 457 is just stunning. It make me want to set aside money for you so I can beg to have my flat as a board "ban era" clunky S&W 410 made over.

Thank you galilman121...one of my early projects was on a M910. I used it to learn how to do hot bluing...turned out nice...traded the slide for some parts...

here is that thread:
M910 Slide learning project

Guzzi